Update for ‘Skydance’s Behemoth’ Adjusts Combat Following “Controversial” Feedback—Read Patch Notes

Skydance Games has rolled out a significant update for Behemoth, a game that stirred quite the buzz upon its December 5th release on platforms like Quest 2/3/Pro, PSVR 2, and PC VR via the Meta-exclusive Horizon Store and Steam. While some players were satisfied with the game’s combat system from the get-go, many voiced their concerns, sparking Skydance to refine some aspects without overhauling the core mechanics.

The development team at Skydance candidly acknowledged the mixed reactions, stating, “Combat has been controversial. We’ve heard players express their love for it as is, so drastic changes are off the table. However, to address frustrations regarding stamina drain, the challenges of parrying, and tight dodging windows, we’ve fine-tuned these systems to make them more player-friendly.”

To enhance the overall experience, the patch introduces adjustments that make stamina, parrying, and dodging more lenient, promising a more enjoyable experience for all users. In addition, a new ‘Freestyle Mode’ in beta has been launched. This mode significantly reduces combat stamina drain, except during climbing sequences, providing a smoother gameplay experience. Furthermore, the update resolves previously reported issues with boss fights, enemy AI, pathfinding, and overall game stability on all platforms.

For those eager to see the detailed notes, be aware that the full patch details include some minor spoilers. However, here’s a streamlined version that avoids revealing any plot details.

QUEST SPECIFIC

Player Experience

• A "Shader compiling" loading screen has been added to reduce confusion at game start.
• Haptics are now available in the Main Menu.
• Fixed a crash in Arena Mode [BETA] related to striking the gong under certain conditions.
• Enhanced climbing interactions and collision detection in critical areas.
• Resolved progression blockers like the Nightscraper fight and Ragnar disappearing during the tutorial.

Gameplay

• Improved collision to prevent players from accidentally moving through solid objects.
• Addressed rare clipping issues involving Dreddstag and Shacklehide’s leg climbing interactions.
• Keys now correctly respawn in ghost form after saving and reloading.
• Enhanced hit reactions and state transitions for enemies in combat.
• Refined hand grips and inverse kinematics for ropes.

Art & Audio

• Enhanced environment textures and lighting, with special improvements for Quest 3.
• Minimized visual popping.
• Fixed floating objects like arrows and rubble.
• Music continuity maintained during the Shacklehide battle.

ALL PLATFORMS

Progression Blockers

• Fixed issues causing enemies like Kragjaeger and Shacklehide to not appear correctly or cause soft locks.
• Fast Travel is now available post-campaign, allowing for continued exploration.

Combat Updates

• Tuning Adjustments:

  • Dodging now grants 0.5 seconds of invulnerability.
  • Headshots on standard enemies are now one-hit kills.
  • Improved forgiveness angle for parrying and blocking, making execution easier.

• Combat Stamina Drain Adjustments:

  • Balanced across all difficulty levels.
  • The “Freestyle Mode (BETA)” features minimal stamina drain, although achievements are disabled in this mode.
• Tenderfoot difficulty has further reduced enemy damage.

Miniboss and Boss Tuning

• Reduced difficulty and fixed glitches in miniboss encounters.
• Ragnar’s health and attack rate have been increased.

Level Updates

• Fixed interactions in key areas such as Shacklehide’s arena, Zephyr’s Pass, and the Throne Room.
• Bettered puzzle mechanisms and access to chests in Duskhold and other areas.

Miscellaneous Fixes

• Significantly enhanced stability with major crash resolutions.
• Addressed lighting, visual inconsistencies, and voice-over timing issues.
• Trophy Room collectibles were rearranged to prevent glitches.

The update not only aims to refine your combat experience but also ensure smoother gameplay across all fronts, ensuring Behemoth remains as immersive as ever.